Let me start by stating a fact: I am a very impatient artist. I don’t generally go in for techniques that require a lot of brain power, steps or detail. I like results! So, when it comes to the myriad of techniques out there for doing image transfers, I’ve generally worked with what looked easiest and with materials I already own. This installment of AB101 features four transfer techniques you can use in your altered books with a minimum of fuss. There are plenty of others out there, but these are the ones I’ve chosen to use the most in the past.
Why would you want to use a transfer? Perhaps you want a translucent image that appears to be printed right on the book’s page. Maybe you’d like a seamless transition from the background to the image you’re adding. Transfers can be achieved by using chemicals or solvents, heat, inks, toners, among other methods. The Altered Books Yahoo Group has a plethora of files available for members who are interested in learning more about the different types of transfer methods.
My favorite transfer technique, and the easiest, is the packing tape transfer. Clear packing tape, an image and a bowl of warm water are all you need to complete this transfer. I love it because I can turn any magazine image into a semi-translucent image and incorporate it into a spread. To do the packing tape transfer, stick your image, face down, onto the sticky side of the tape and burnish it really well. Soak the image in warm water for about 10 minutes (you may need to re-soak depending upon the paper) and then gently rub away the paper backing. The image will stick to the packing tape! The more you rub the paper away, the more translucent the transfer. It’s hard to see in this photo, since the transfer is so shiny, but the image is a bike in a field, with a sky full of clouds. I layered the transfer onto green and blue papers to “color in” the field and the sky in my transfer.
If your image is bigger than the width of the packing tape, you can use two strips of tape side by side, overlapping slighting. If you prefer a matte look to your transferred image, lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper. Other variations of this transfer technique include using clear contact paper or clear labels, such as in the project above.
Another reason to use an image transfer is to create a subtle background or to blend two images together to create a background. The latter was achieved in the next project by doing a blender pen (or xylene) transfer of a photo onto a piece of scrapbook paper. This technique should always be done in a well-ventilated area, as the blender pen is pretty smelly. I usually prefer this method for smaller images, so I don’t have to breathe in the fumes for very long. This method works well with toner photocopies. There are variations on this method, using Citra Solv or wintergreen oil. Always be sure to read the labels to insure you are safeguarding your health while making your art.
The next project adds the technique of using existing text from the book to tell a little story. The transfer technique used here was a heat transfer. At first, I wanted to transfer the man and woman kissing (on the bottom right of the page spread) directly to the book pages, but I found the technique didn’t work well with the type of paper and ink in this book. I’m sure the age of the book didn’t help matters, either. This is why I always test on scraps before trying to incorporate any transfer into a spread I’ve been laboring over. The heat tool used in this project is the Versa-Tool from Walnut Hollow. It doesn’t take long for the image to transfer (check often during the process!) and you should always keep the tool moving so as not to scorch your paper.
The final project showcases a gel medium transfer. Basically, the technique works by building up layers of gel medium on your image, letting them all dry, and then soaking the image in order to peel off the paper. The image transfers to the gel medium and creates a flexible archival copy of your original. I then collaged the transfer onto the page with more gel medium. Some papers work better than others, so you’ll want to experiment with the materials you have on hand.
Another fun and easy transfer technique entails the use of Stewart Superior’s Transfer Ink! Earlier incarnations of this product didn’t always achieve the effects consumers wanted, but the current formula is updated and has proved a success in my studio. I love using Transfer Ink for creating a watercolor-effect impression of my background stamps. In addition, it works with inkjet prints, which is far more convenient than having to run to the office supply store for toner-based copies of my clipart and other images I want to use in my projects.
